Welsh supporters travelling to Euro 2016 stranded after their easyJet flight was hit by lightning
Around 100 fans were told less than 12 hours before their flight that the plane would not take off because it had been hit by lightning
A PARTY of Welsh football fans on their way to France for Euro 2016 have been grounded after their plane was struck by lightning.
The EasyJet aircraft from London Gatwick to Toulouse, France, was yesterday kept in Bastia for a safety inspection after it was struck on Saturday.
There were around 100 Wales fans travelling to watch their side’s final Group B clash of the tournament.
Several of the supporters have reportedly tried to make alternative arrangements to get to the match.
One of the passengers, Ann Williams, wrote on Twitter that she hired a car and travelled to the continent via Eurotunnel to make it to Toulouse in time.
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Another, Paul Edwards, tweeted: "How can EasyJet cancel a flight with less than twelve hours’ notice? And cannot offer a flight until 24 hours later. Road trip to Toulouse.”
An airline spokesman said its operations team looked at "all possible alternatives" before deciding to cancel the flight and apologised for any inconvenience.
He said: "As no other flight with easyJet was available until Wednesday, passengers were advised that they were entitled to book alternative transport arrangements, under comparable conditions.
"Our staff worked hard to look for alternatives on other airlines, unfortunately no options under comparable conditions were found.
"Passengers who made their own travel arrangements will be entitled to compensation for all reasonable costs and alternative transport under comparable conditions."